August. By now you’re thinking about summer coming to an end, back to school, and the last quarter of your business. In light of this, I’m going to give you tons of resources to use to ensure your mindset is ready to usher your business into the end of the year better than ever. Here’s part of your Best Quarter Ever Kit.

I want to start with you. Yep. You. Not your sales or profit, but you. So I have a question for you:

How are you?

I mean really. How are you?

Here’s a peek at my personal routine at home. Don’t worry, there isn’t bathroom footage. Ok, just a little. When I first started my business it was the same old check my phone before I got out of bed, then get to my laptop with coffee, shower, and get to work. Do you see any time in there that would shore up my health or mindset?

The point? The point is that as entrepreneurs and small business owners, we get swept away, sometimes right out of bed, by our business goals. You know the cliche – You can’t pour from an empty cup. It’s a cliche for a reason. I used to be on the go, constantly hustling and ignoring my personal needs. Not only did my personal health suffer, but my business took a ding or two also.

You can only go so long without a good daily routine. The caveat is that entrepreneurs and business owners often think they don’t have time, or if they’re doing something that isn’t work related that they’re somehow slacking off.

Read this twice if you have to: The better you feel, the better your business will be.

In light of that, I began carving time out in the morning. My scheduling manager, Erin, even adds my workouts to my calendar (lunch too because those eating at the desk days need to be far and few between). Now in the morning, I meditate, write, work out, and then I am set for the day. The result? My stress is greatly reduced, I feel energized, I have mental clarity, and I feel far more creative. And buff. Half kidding. Also, taking some time to take care of myself in the morning means I never resent having to take care of others or my business, because my cup? Super full.

Anyway, if you have a routine and you’re thinking, “Ok dude, tell me something I don’t know”, well then I high five you from here. If you want to avoid burnout, enhance your business, and create and protect your personal peace, you must create a routine for yourself. If you think you don’t have time, then get up a few minutes earlier each day until it’s a habit, and work in a few routines that deliver so you can be more efficient in your business and carry it through this last quarter with confidence.

You’ve got this!
-Mike